Floristic and Phytosociological Analysis of Natural Regeneration in the Zoobotanical Park, Orchid Garden of Santos, SP Lucas G. Oliveira, Letícia Golz, Steffani Melo

Abstract

One way to assess the impacts caused by humans on vegetation is to study the forest components, especially the lower ones, which are more sensitive to environmental changes. Therefore, the present study aimed to understand the floristic composition and phytosociological structure of natural regeneration, both herbaceous and woody, of the Municipal Orchid Zoobotanical Park of Santos, which is located in the Atlantic Forest domain. For the development of the study, ten plots were allocated in three beds, with a spacing of 5 m between them. In the survey of the transient community, the presence of individuals with at least 30 cm in height was recorded up to the maximum limit of DBH less than or equal to 5 cm. For the survey of the resident community, the coverage of each species was estimated. The data were analyzed from a floristic and phytosociological point of view. In total, 40 species were sampled, distributed in 23 botanical families, of which 2 were not fully identified. Of these, 18 are of native origin, 5 are native-non-regional and 17 are of exotic origin. The family with the greatest richness was Araceae, with ten species, all exotic. The resident community had 7 families, while the transient community, in turn, had 19. The result of the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index was 2.76. Regarding the IVI, the results for shrubs, trees and herbs were, respectively, 99.77, 44.41 and 155.81. The species Dracaena fragrans and Curculigo capitulata, presented the highest IVI values, being, respectively, 85.45 and 47.59%. In the transient community, Triplaris americana, presented the highest IVI value (11.10%). The results of this study will be useful in planning management actions for the unit.